283: Chapter 281 Fulfilled

After exiting the back gate of the Ning Mansion, the door slammed shut heavily behind them.

Ah Yuan had been holding it in the whole way, and finally she couldn't help herself. "Master, why didn't you just expose that bullshit Imperial Physician just now? His face makes me sick just looking at it!"

Yun Ming paused and glanced at her. "Where did you learn such foul language?"

Ah Yuan shrank her neck and lowered her voice. "...I heard Sister Xue Ji say it."

Yun Ming tilted his head but didn't pursue it. He continued walking forward, with Ah Yuan following behind.

"The primary goal is to keep a low profile," Yun Ming said as he walked. "I just caused such a stir in the Zifu Immortal Dynasty; the entire Zifu Immortal Dynasty might be searching for me. Although those people wouldn't dare search openly, they're definitely investigating in secret. The only way to expose Imperial Physician Zhao Ke here would be to reveal my status as a Cultivator and use Spiritual Power to prove the Old Madam's ailment on the spot. But if I did that, my identity would be exposed. If people found out, there would be endless trouble."

He paused and said flatly, "It's better to disguise myself as a highly skilled Itinerant Doctor. If something can be solved with Mortal means, then use Mortal means. It saves a lot of trouble."

Ah Yuan nodded, seemingly understanding. "Then... will the Old Madam really die?"

"Yes," Yun Ming's tone was steady. "Once she takes Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's prescription, the Old Madam won't even last three days."

Ah Yuan's heart tightened. "Then why didn't you..."

"I already said it," Yun Ming interrupted her. "They didn't believe me." He stepped forward. "Anyway, in as little as three days or as many as five, they will definitely come to beg me. At that time, I'll be the one to decide the price."

Ah Yuan didn't ask any more questions. She followed behind Yun Ming, silently counting the days in her heart.

Ning Mansion.

The Old Steward took Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's prescription and went to the largest pharmacy in the city to get the medicine. Imperial Physician Zhao Ke had specifically instructed him to use the best ingredients and not to accept any fakes. Seeing it was a prescription from the Imperial Medical Academy, the shopkeeper didn't dare be negligent and picked only top-quality goods. The Old Steward ran back with the medicine bags and handed them to the kitchen to brew. Three bowls of water were boiled down to one; the thick, dark liquid steamed, emitting a rich medicinal aroma.

Ning Wanqing personally held the medicine bowl, supporting her mother's head and feeding her spoonful by spoonful. At first, the Old Madam refused to drink, frowning with her lips tightly shut. Ning Wanqing coaxed her softly, "Mother, this medicine was prescribed by an Imperial Physician from the Imperial Medical Academy. You'll get better after drinking it." The Old Madam's eyelids flickered, and she finally opened her mouth.

After feeding her the bowl of medicine, in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Old Madam's eyelids moved, her eyelashes trembled, and then she slowly opened her eyes.

"Mother!" Ning Wanqing's voice changed pitch, and tears suddenly flooded out.

Ning Yuanzhou rushed in from the outer room, threw himself by the bed, and grabbed his mother's hand. "Mother, you're awake? How do you feel?" The Old Madam's gaze swept over her son and daughter's faces, her lips moved, and her voice was weak but clear. "Yuanzhou... is back..." Ning Yuanzhou's tears fell silently as he nodded vigorously. "Mother, I'm back. I'm not leaving; I'll stay with you." The corner of the Old Madam's mouth quirked slightly, as if she wanted to smile but lacked the strength.

Ning Wanqing threw herself onto her mother, trembling as she cried. The maidservants' eyes also reddened; they supported each other, secretly wiping away tears. The Old Steward stood at the door, watching this scene, unable to stop himself from wiping his eyes with his sleeve. The entire mansion was immersed in the joy of having survived a disaster.

Only Imperial Physician Zhao Ke stood outside the crowd, no smile on his face.

His gaze fell on the Old Madam's face. That ashen face indeed had a hint of color, her eyes were open, and she could even say a word or two. But Imperial Physician Zhao Ke saw it clearly—that flush was only on the surface, like a thin layer of paper pasted on dead wood; underneath, it was still deathly gray. Although her eyes were clear for a moment, they soon began to lose focus. Although her breathing stabilized for a few breaths, the rhythm was becoming more and more chaotic. Her fingers curled slightly, as if she were enduring some kind of pain.

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's heart sank.

He had estimated that this prescription would allow the Old Madam to last at least seven days. But looking at her reaction, he feared she wouldn't even last three. Maybe two days, maybe one. Or maybe—tonight. He glanced out the window; the sun had already begun to sink in the west, and dusk was approaching.

Fine beads of sweat broke out on Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's forehead. He couldn't let the Old Madam die while he was still at the Ning Mansion. Once the Old Madam died, Ning Yuanzhou would certainly investigate. If the prescription were handed over to the authorities then, it would be identified as Tiger and Wolf Medicine upon inspection. Although he hadn't intended—no, he had intended. But he couldn't admit it. Once he admitted it, his career would be over.

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke took a deep breath and walked to Ning Yuanzhou's side.

"Lord Ning, the Old Madam's condition has stabilized. I have official duties to attend to and cannot stay long. I shall take my leave now."

Ning Yuanzhou was stunned and stood up. "Imperial Physician Zhao, you're leaving already? My mother's illness has only just begun to improve, you..."

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke waved his hand, his tone brooks no argument. "I have already written the prescription. As long as she takes the medicine on time and rests quietly, she will recover in a few days. There is nothing more for me to do here; it's better if I return to the capital early to report." He had already begun packing his medicine box.

Ning Yuanzhou opened his mouth to ask him to stay, but seeing Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's determined face, he swallowed his words. "Then I will see you out."

"No need." Imperial Physician Zhao Ke shouldered his medicine box and turned to walk out.

Just at the moment he stepped out, a violent coughing sound came from behind him.

It wasn't an ordinary cough; it was a tearing, scalp-numbing cough squeezed from deep within the throat. Ning Wanqing shrieked, "Mother!" Ning Yuanzhou spun around abruptly. On the bed, the Old Madam's body arched like a cooked shrimp. Her face turned bright red, her eyes bulged, her mouth opened, and a "he-he" sound came from her throat. Then, she suddenly sprayed out a mouthful of blood. It wasn't a streak or foam; it was a large mouthful of dark red, foul-smelling stagnant blood. The blood splattered on the bedding, on Ning Wanqing's face, and on Ning Yuanzhou's robes.

After spraying the blood, the Old Madam's body seemed to be drained, falling limply onto the bed. Her eyes closed, and her breathing was so weak it could barely be felt.

"Mother—!" Ning Wanqing's scream pierced the night sky over the Ning Mansion.

Ning Yuanzhou rushed to the bedside and grabbed his mother's hand; it was ice-cold, and her pulse was almost undetectable. His face was as white as paper, and his lips were trembling. "Imperial Physician Zhao! Imperial Physician Zhao!" He turned around; Imperial Physician Zhao Ke had already reached the door with his medicine box. Ning Yuanzhou rushed over and grabbed his sleeve. "Imperial Physician Zhao, you can't leave! My mother, she—"

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's face was also very pale. He hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. He shook off Ning Yuanzhou's hand, his voice tight. "Lord Ning, I have done my best. The Old Madam is of advanced age and her Qi and blood are failing; it is beyond human power to reverse. I—" Before he could finish, Ning Wanqing rushed out of the room, knelt before him, and tugged at his hem.

"Imperial Physician Zhao, I beg of you, please save my mother again. I beg you..." Her tears were like pearls from a broken string, her voice hoarse.

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke gritted his teeth and leaned down to help her up. "Young Miss Ning, I am truly powerless. The Old Madam's illness is beyond the reach of medicine. Rather than letting her live in pain, it's better to..." He didn't continue.

Ning Wanqing's eyes widened, as if she didn't recognize the person in front of her.

Ning Yuanzhou's expression changed. He understood the meaning behind Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's words. It wasn't that he couldn't save her, but that he didn't want to try anymore.

The entire mansion was in chaos. Maidservants ran back and forth, some carrying water, some towels, some brewing medicine. The Old Steward stood in the courtyard, at a loss. The guards looked at each other, not knowing what to do. From the Old Madam's bedroom came the sound of Ning Wanqing's crying, one sob after another, heart-wrenching.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Imperial Physician Zhao Ke shouldered his medicine box and quickly walked out of the Ning Mansion. His pace was fast, as if he were afraid of being caught by something.

Ning Yuanzhou stood by his mother's bed, looking at that ashen face, the shocking bloodstains on the bedding, and his sister crying until she almost fainted. His hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. He suddenly remembered the Itinerant Doctor who had been driven away. That man said the Old Madam's illness couldn't be cured by Mortal Medicine. That man said Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's prescription would cause harm. That man said seven days at most, maybe shorter. That man said he would be staying in the city, waiting for them to come and beg.

Ning Yuanzhou closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he opened his eyes and shouted toward the door, "Someone! Go into the city and find—find a Itinerant Doctor wearing gray cloth clothes. When you find him, invite him back with the utmost respect."